Which of These Isn't a Mineral Property? Take the Quiz!
Ready to master mineral properties? Start the properties of minerals quiz now!
This quiz helps you spot which is not a property of minerals while you review core traits such as hardness, luster, cleavage, crystal form, and specific gravity. Practice for class or a lab practical, catch gaps fast, then try our related quiz on rocks and minerals .
Study Outcomes
- Identify Key Mineral Characteristics -
Determine the fundamental physical attributes of minerals, including hardness, luster, and cleavage, to recognize real-world specimens.
- Distinguish Which Is Not a Property of Minerals -
Learn to spot outlier characteristics that do not define minerals and confidently eliminate incorrect options during the quiz.
- Apply the Mohs Hardness Scale -
Use the Mohs scale to compare and rank minerals by hardness, enhancing your practical identification skills.
- Evaluate Diagnostic Features -
Assess diagnostic properties such as color, streak, and cleavage to differentiate between similar mineral samples.
- Interpret Quiz Questions -
Navigate through mineral identification quiz questions with strategic reasoning and avoid common pitfalls.
- Self-Assess Mineral Identification Skills -
Reflect on quiz results to measure your understanding and identify areas needing further study.
Cheat Sheet
- Five Defining Characteristics of Minerals -
Minerals are naturally occurring, inorganic solids with a definite chemical composition and an ordered internal structure according to the International Mineralogical Association. Use the mnemonic "NIDOS" (Natural, Inorganic, Definite composition, Ordered structure, Solid) to lock in these criteria. This foundation will help you spot which options aren't true mineral properties.
- Mohs Hardness Scale -
The Mohs scale ranks minerals by scratch resistance from talc (1) to diamond (10), originally devised by Friedrich Mohs in 1812. Try testing a fingernail (~2.5), a copper penny (~3.5) or glass (~5.5) to gauge hardness. Applying this quick field test will sharpen your skills and rule out non-properties like "taste."
- Luster: How Minerals Reflect Light -
Luster describes the way light interacts with a mineral's surface - metallic, vitreous, pearly or adamantine (as seen in diamonds). The British Geological Survey notes that luster is more reliable than color, which can vary due to impurities. Remember "MVPA" (Metallic, Vitreous, Pearly, Adamantine) to ace questions on reflective qualities.
- Cleavage vs. Fracture Patterns -
Cleavage is the tendency of minerals to break along specific planes of weakness (mica peels in sheets), while fracture produces irregular or conchoidal breaks (like quartz). The USGS emphasizes observing breakage to understand bond strength and crystal symmetry. Practicing both will help you discard misfits such as "malleability," which isn't a general mineral property.
- Streak Tests Over Color -
While color can mislead, the streak test reveals a mineral's true powdered hue on unglazed porcelain (Mindat.org). This method separates look-alikes, like hematite's red-brown streak versus its steel-gray surface. Keep "Streak Speaks Truth" in mind to eliminate flashy distractors like "smell."